Wind-dbivew boxeb toy



Oct. 15, 1929. R. R. ROOT WIND DRIVEN BOXER TOY Filed Jan. 1928' Patented Oct. 15, 1929 RAYMOND R. ROOT, OF GEORGETOVJN, MASSACHUSETTS WIND-DRIVEN BOXER TOY Application filed January 4, 1928. Serial l lo. 244,405.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simulationof a boxing match between two figures, representing boxers actuated by a variable speed motor. In the pre- 55 ferred embodiment the motor is a wind wheel which may be set up in a stationary location to be driven by currents of air, or may be mounted on a vehicle and driven by the rela-' tive movement between the vehicle and the 1 atmosphere. In either case the variable speed of the motor and of the motions given thereby to the figures, caused by varying, force of the wind, is an important factor, as it adds much of interest to the device.

The invention consists of the device hereinafter described in detail and in the principles thereof as explained and set forth in the claims.

In the drawings,-

Fig. 1 is a side view of a wind driven toy embodying this invention;

Figs. 2, 3 and 4c are cross sections on lines 2-2, 33 and 4 4, respectively, of Fig. 1, viewed in the directions indicated by the arrows applied to said lines;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the figures and the associated parts for operating the figures, dismembered from one another.

Like reference characters designate the same parts in all the figures.

The device consists of a post and a base 11 attached to said post and having considerable length and breadth, but slight thickness, in order that it may be turned by the wind when mounted with freedom for pivotal motion about the axis of the post. It will be understood without specific illustration that the post may be mounted in any sort of a bearing or socket with provision for turning freely, as common with weather vanes or the like. Hence the base is in effecta vane which will be turned so as to point up into the wind, whatever may be the direction of the wind.

A shaft 12 is supported on the base 11 in bearings 13, 14, of any suitable character, and carries a wind wheel 15 so disposed as to be faced squarely against the wind by the vane action of the base. To the opposite sides of the base and extending above its upper edge, are secured plates 16 and 17.- These plates being separated from one another by the'thickness of the base, provide an open space or channel between them above the upper edge of the base, in which are mounted figures 18 and 19, by means of pivot pins 20 and 21, respectively, which are set in the plates. The figures are shaped and may be decorated to represent boxers. Each is preferably made in one piece, exceptfor the arms 22 and 23, and the latter are pivoted freely at opposite sides of the body piece by a pin or rod 24, which passes through the body and arms and is fitted with suitable heads or enlargements at the outer sides of the arms to prevent the latter from slipping off while being free to turn on the pin. Such heads or enlargements may be reinforced by washers of well known character.

Each of the figure pieces includes a pedestal or base portion 25 through which the supporting pivot 20 passes, and a lever arm 26. The lever arms of the two figures are con nected by pivots 27 and 28 to an endwise movable bar 29, and the latter is connected by a pivot 30 to a bell crank lever 31 also pivoted between the plates 16 and 17 by a pivot 32. The other arm of the bell crank than that connected to the bar 29 is provided with a coupling 33 joined to a connecting rod 34 which in turn is coupled to a crank 35 on the shaft 12.

It will now be appreciated that when the crank 12 is rotated by the wind wheel the bar 29'is'reciprocated and the figures are oscillated simultaneously about their respective pivots. In this embodiment the figures are mounted parallel to one another and their actuating lever arms are of equal length so that both are moved equally and in unison. As they are thus moved, they appear to be alternately advancing toward and retreating from one another and their freely pivoted arms swing back and forth more or less violently according as they are moved more or less rapidly, sometimes making complete circles about their pivots. While the figures, as to their bodies, are exactly controlled in their movements, their arms move wholly at random and more or less gently or violently according to the force of the wind. With a light air current which turns the wind wheel slowly, the figures sway back and forth and their arms swing languidly, but with a stronger gust of wind they move more rapidly and the arms swing or whirl rapidly, sometimes clashing against the arms of the other figure, and giving every appearance of a violent fight between the boxers. Then as the gust of wind passes, the figures slow down again as though Wearied from their exertions. Thus the varying force and speed of the wind causes the boxers now to spar gently,then to fight fiercely with a great whirling and waving of their arms, and again to become quiet as though temporarily exhausted, only to go at it again furiously with every increase in the force of the wind.

In order to increase the illusion of a boxing ring, I have mounted posts 36, 87 at each end of the plates 16 and 17 and. at their outer sides, forming such posts so that they are spread apart widely enough to give room for the arm movements of the figures, as shown in Fig. 2, and have attached cords 38 and 39 to the posts to represent the ropes of the ring.

The several parts of the device may be made of any materials suitable to withstand the wind and weather to which they are exposed. Preferably the parts are made, as far as possible, out of relatively thin sheet material arranged edgewise to the wind and, as to the figures, moving in the same manner.

Various modifications in the structure, arrangement and proportions of the entire device and the parts thereof may be made from those illustrated in the drawings, without departure from the invention which. I claim, wherefore I would have it understood that the drawings and the foregoing detailed description are to be construed as illustrating and not limiting the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A toy of the character referred to comprising an upright or standard, a base pivotally supported by saidstandard with its opposite faces in substantially vertical position whereby it can turn bodily as a vane about a vertical axis, two figure supports independently pivoted on said base on substantially parallel horizontal axes, a figure, representing a boxer, supported at its lower end on each said support, said figures fac- 3 ing each other and the arm members of each being both pivotally connected to the body to swing freely relative thereto, a link connecting the said figure supports, a shaft journalled in bearings on the base, a wind wheel connected to rotate the shaft, and means connecting the shaft with the link to reciprocate the latter as the shaft rotates.

2. A toy of the character referred to comprising an upright or standard, a base supa ported by the upright with its opposite faces in substantially vertical position and having a longitudinally extending channel at its upper edge, two figure supports extending into said channel and pivotally connected to the base on substantially parallel horizontal axes, a figure, representing a boxer, mounted on and rising from each said support, a link connecting the figure supports below the pivot axes thereof, a shaft mounted in bearings on the base, a wind wheel secured on the shaft, and connections between the shaft and link for reciprocating the link as the shaft rotates.

3. A toy of the character referred to comprising an upright or standard, a base supported by the upright with its opposite faces in subtsantiallv vertical position and having a longitudinally extending channel at its upper edge, two figure supports extending into said channel and pivotally connected to the base on substantially parallel horizontal axes, a figure, representing a boxer, mounted on and rising from each said support, a bell crank lever fulcrumed on the base within the channel thereof and having an arm connected to both said figure supports, a crank shaft mounted in bearings on the'base, a wind wheel secured on the shaft, and connections between the other arm of the bell crank lever and a crank of the shaft whereby the two figure supports will be simultaneously rocked by the bell crank as the crank shaft rotates.

In testimony where-of I have aflixed my signature. 1 V p I RAYMOND R. ROOT. 

